Newcastle hold City, Agüero reaches 100 EPL goals

Newcastle continued to show some late determination to avoid relegation from the top tier, drawing 1-1 with Manchester City yesterday after Sergio Agüero became the second-fastest player to score 100 English Premier League goals.

With their title dream effectively over, City were seeking to strengthen their grip on third place and automatic Champions League qualification. They moved a point ahead of Arsenal and five ahead of Manchester United, with both teams having a game in hand.

Leicester lead with 73 points, 12 more than City, with four games left.

Newcastle will take the most encouragement from their rousing recovery at St James' Park, despite remaining 19th and two points from safety. The Magpies rallied against Agüero's 14th-minute disputed opener with Vurnon Anita equalising in the 31st to grab a point for Rafael Benítez's men.

"The reaction from the team was so positive," Benítez told the BBC.

It was Agüero's 147th league match. Alan Shearer is the fastest player to score 100 EPL goals, managing that feat in 124 matches.

With Vincent Kompany back at the heart of the City defence, the victory Benítez so desperately needed looked a tall order.